HN for Wed., August 16, 2017, Vol. 43, Issue 17.

Lockheed Martin [LMT] successfully flight tested its VH-92A helicopter on July 28, signaling a major step towards becoming the next Marine One aircraft used to transport the president.The company’s Sikorsky VH-92A will enter service in 2020, after signing a $1.24 billion contract in May 2014 to produce two test aircraft and four production aircraft as…

The Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys stationed on Okinawa remained operational Aug. 7 as U.S. and Australian navy vessels attempted to recover wreckage of a downed tiltrotor off the east coast of Australia.On Aug. 5, an Osprey clipped the edge of the USS Green Bay while trying to land on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. The aircraft –…

All Marine Corps aviation units will at some point during the next two weeks suspend flight operations for 24 hours as a result of the Aug. 5 crash of an MV-22 Osprey that killed three Marines.Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller made the announcement Aug. 11 that commanders could decide when to ground…

Orbit Communications Systems is expanding its platform of airborne satellite communication terminals to include helicopters after receiving a $3 million deal from an unnamed defense services provider.The Israeli-based communications provider announced on Aug. 13 it will develop its Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) system to facilitate data communication between military helicopters via satellites.This latest deal will incorporate…